Individual Training in Our Colleges

CHAPTER XXIII
PRESENT COLLEGE CONDITIONS AS TO COLLEGE AND
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHELETICS

IN nothing else is the difference between the old and the new
college more marked than in regard to athletics. Prior to 1860
the physical condition of the average student was lamentably bad.
He studied hard, took little physical exercise, and his health was
often undermined or ruined by attempting to board himself while
working his way through college. Many came from the farm or
outdoor work, and this enabled them to endure what the present
student could not. Hygiene was practically unknown, as was the
idea that the college student should be trained physically as well
as mentally. The general question of physical exercise was not
understood. After 1817 or 1818 they had good physical training
at West Point and later at a few military schools. A marked general interest in such training arose about 1825, but soon died out
and did not revive for thirty-five years.

Early conditions as to
physical
exercise.

In 1860 Harvard, Yale and Amherst erected new and, for those
times, fine gymnasiums. Their use at Harvard and Yale was
purely voluntary, and hence comparatively slight for many years.
At Amherst the use of the gymnasium was compulsory for all the
students, throughout all their course, for forty minutes four times a
week, but discipline at "Gym" was not very rigid and the students
enjoyed the work.

Early gymnasiums.

Compulsory
athletics at
Amherst.
Much credit is due to Rev. William A. Stearns, who became
president in 1854. He found the general physical condition of
the students poor, and determined to improve it as a part of their
college education and to graduate each individual with perfect
health if possible. Four times a week each class must assemble
and take some exercise together, and might take a good deal as
individuals. The calisthenic exercises were helpful and pleasing,
set to music and usually well done. That of the class of 1874

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